British Embassy, Beijing: DfID Staff

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the present level of the Department for International Development establishment at the British Embassy in Beijing; how many are employed on a permanent basis or on contract; what are their terms of reference; and what was the comparable number of personnel five years ago.

Baroness Amos: The Department for International Development has five members of staff at the British Embassy in Beijing at present. All are on contracts of between two and three years. Their terms of reference are to manage the department's portfolio of bilateral development projects in China. DfID also funds three locally recruited members of staff, on annual contract to the Diplomatic Service Bureau, who provide administrative support. A fourth post is under recruitment.
	There were no DfID staff in post five years ago. Prior to May 1999 bilateral projects were administered by Diplomatic Service staff in the Embassy as part of their wider duties, supported by locally recruited staff.

Mozambique: Helicopters for Relief Work

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) how many helicopters are now available for relief work in Mozambique; (b) how many helicopters or trained pilots they have made available; and (c) how many helicopters have been offered by the Ministry of Defence.

Baroness Amos: There are now over 50 helicopters assisting in the relief operation in Mozambique. DfID inputs into the air operation have been:
	(i) US$1 million to support the continued air operations of the South African Defence Force; and
	(ii) direct provision of an additional 14 helicopters to the relief effort (including four from the Royal Air Force and four aboard RFA Fort George).

Sudan: Debt Cancellation

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to relieve Sudan's debts to Britain.

Baroness Amos: Britain cancelled Sudan's aid debts in 1979. Relief for export credit debt is available for countries that qualify for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Sudan is eligible for HIPC but does not yet qualify. The ongoing civil war continues to devastate the Sudanese economy.

Sudan: Humanitarian Need

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the present humanitarian need in Sudan; and what steps they are taking to address the situation.

Baroness Amos: The World Food Programme has launched a $58 million appeal this year for 1.7 million people in need of emergency food in the Sudan. Non-government organisation (NGO) sources confirm that food supplies are relatively good at present and rates of malnutrition low. Western Upper Nile and Northern Bahr el Gazal are two areas of potential concern because of limited access. DfID and its international and NGO partners will continue to keep the situation under close review and respond as necessary.

Sudan: Diversion of Humanitarian Aid

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their estimate of the percentage of British, European and other humanitarian aid to Sudan that is diverted by the parties of the civil war.

Baroness Amos: No definitive figures are available on the proportion of humanitarian assistance diverted. We continue to watch this very closely and to press the UN and non-government organisations (NGOs) for action to improve the targeting of humanitarian aid and the cessation of diversions.
	The recent expulsion of some of the largest relief agencies operating in southern Sudan raises further concerns over the transparency and accountability of future humanitarian operations.

Sudan: NGO Activity

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which British non-government organisations based in Britain are active in Sudan.

Baroness Amos: The following NGOs, all British-based or with British offices, have worked in Sudan this financial year with DfID funding:
	British Red Cross/International Committee of the Red Cross.
	Care.
	Concern.
	Goal.
	Medicins Sans Frontieres.
	Save the Children Fund.
	Tear Fund.
	Other groups may also be working with funding from other sources. On 1 March 2000, a number of NGOs withdrew from areas of South Sudan controlled by the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Army because they were unwilling to sign an agreement controlling their activities.

Sudan: NGO Activity

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which British and foreign non-government organisations which are active in Sudan received funding directly or indirectly from the British Government in the fiscal years 1997-98 and 1998-99; and whether they will provide details of the funding provided by each organisation.

Baroness Amos: A table listing those non-governmental organisations which, during 1997-98 and 1998-99, received funding from DfID for projects in Sudan is attached.
	
		DfID contributions to non-governmental organisations in Sudan in 1997-98 and 1998-99
		
			  1997-98 1998-99 Total 
			 NGO £ £ £ 
			 ACROSS -- 35,186 35,186 
			 Aktion Afrika Hilfe 183,961 -- 183,961 
			 British Red Cross/International  Committee Red Cross -- 2,250,000 2,250,000 
			 Care 135,396 605,717 741,113 
			 Christian Aid -- 124,716 124,716 
			 Goal 16,433 452,479 468,912 
			 Medecins Sans Frontieres 555,149 2,837,204 3,392,353 
			 Merlin -- 731,419 731,419 
			 Ockenden Venture 34,736 48,420 83,156 
			 Oxfam 880,801 87,000 967,801 
			 Save the Children Fund 698,085 743,731 1,441,816 
			 Tear Fund -- 48,691 48,691 
			 World Vision 27,883 286,395 314,278 
			  
			 Total 2,532,444 8,250,958 10,783,402

Sudan: NGO Activity

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any non-governmental organisation has been directly involved in supplying and transporting arms and ammunition, including anti-aircraft weapons and landmines, to combatants in the civil war in Sudan.

Baroness Amos: We have detected no evidence of non-governmental organisation (NGO) involvement in these activities. An EU arms embargo was initiated in 1994. We expect this to remain for as long as the civil war continues.

Ethnic Monitoring in Business

Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to encourage best practice in ethnic monitoring among private sector employees.

Baroness Blackstone: The Government, in partnership with the Commission for Racial Equality and others, are actively promoting voluntary ethnic monitoring as best practice to business. Employers are being encouraged to monitor both applicants for jobs and their workforce. This approach is being promoted in a number of ways, including by the Race Relations Advisory Service (RREAS), which works with employers to guide them in implementing race equality strategies. Nearly half of all employers who have worked with RREAS have introduced ethnic monitoring systems.

Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Grant

Baroness Whitaker: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What the increased Ethnic Minority and Traveller Educational Achievement Grant will be spent on; and what targets have been set for 2000-01.

Baroness Blackstone: The Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Grant is designed to raise standards for those ethnic minority and traveller pupils at risk of under-achieving and to meet the particular needs of pupils for whom English is an additional language.
	We are making available more money than ever before as part of our drive to raise the academic achievements of those ethnic minority groups at risk of under-achieving. For 2000-01, £162.5 million will be available to local education authorities and schools to improve the attainment of ethnic minority, Traveller and refugee pupils--an increase of 7 per cent on the amount available for these purposes in 1999-2000. The formula used to allocate the ethnic minority achievement element of the grant in 2000-01 protected each authority's total grant in 1999-2000, while distributing additional funds on the basis of need.
	As a condition of grant, local education authorities are required to submit detailed action plans to the Government for approval. These action plans must set out strategies for raising achievement, include information about the academic performance of ethnic minority pupils, and set targets for raising attainment levels.
	To assist in raising the achievement levels of ethnic minority pupils, we have recently published a new document, Removing the barriers. The document sets out a range of measures that have been successful in raising achievement at school level, in a form that is eaily accessible for busy teachers. We are also planning to develop a consultancy service for schools to help them address the needs of children from a minority ethnic background. In addition, we will be disseminating information on good practice through a new website and setting up regional networks to help teachers share knowledge and expertise with each other.

Portable Humanitarian Mine Detector Development

Lord Jopling: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will make funds available to the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency to develop a portable humanitarian mine detector.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency has considerable expertise in mine detection. We are investigating options for funding research and development of a low cost portable humanitarian mine detector, including the possibility of funding from the central Capital Modernisation Fund, as part of our drive to exploit the use of defence resources for wider public benefit. We expect to make a decision shortly.

Kosovo: Postal Service

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether full postal service has been restored both within Kosovo, and to and from the rest of the world; and, if not, when will it be.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: The postal service to Kosovo has not yet been fully restored. UNMIK are hoping that it will be restored in the near future.

UNMIK: Salaries and Expenses

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the salary levels and expenses enjoyed by UNMIK personnel are appropriate

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: The salary levels and expenses of UNMIK staff are set in accordance with established UN methodology, at levels required to attract suitably qualified staff. UN salary rates are set by the International Civil Service Commission and are endorsed by the General Assembly.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Electoral Law

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to the proposals from the Balkan Action Council of Washington DC, dated 22 December 1999, for improving the electoral law of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: We fully support the efforts of the Office of the High Representative and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to produce an election law which furthers the cause of democratic electoral reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), within the limits of the BiH constitution. The revised draft law (presented to the BiH Parliamentary Assembly 25 January), which the UK supports, addresses some of the Balkan Action Council's concerns. We continue to urge the parties in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH to pass the revised election law.

Albanian Prisoners in Serbia

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations on behalf of up to 2,000 Albanians, including Dr Flora Brovina and Mr Albin Kurti, currently held in Serbian prisons, many without charge; and in particular whether they will seek access for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: The UK does not have diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) so is unable to make effective representations to the FRY authorities on behalf of the Albanian prisoners (believed to be some 1,540) held in Serbia. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as an impartial body, has access to the Kosovar prisoners. Through its contacts with the authorities, the ICRC is making strenuous efforts to ensure that those facing prosecution benefit from the legal safeguards laid down in international law. We strongly support their important role in this matter. The UN representative in Kosovo, Bernard Kouchner, has frequently made public calls for the release of the Albanian prisoners in Serbia.

ABM Treaty: US/Russian Discussions

Lord Jenkins of Putney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they share the reported doubts of other NATO countries as to the legality of the proposed United States National Missile Defence system.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: The reported doubts to which my noble friend refers have been raised in relation to the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. The interpretation of that treaty is a matter for the parties to it. The United Kingdom is not a party to that treaty, but we hope that the discussions now in progress between the United States and Russia will ultimately reach a successful conclusion.

Burma: Genocide Charges

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are giving consideration, under Article 2 of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, to the institution of genocide charges against the Burmese military leadership.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: We are deeply concerned about human rights violations in Burma and are at the forefront of international action to press the military regime to improve the situation. But no international criminal tribunal exists at present which has competence to hear genocide charges against the Burmese military leadership. It is because of the need to end impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide wherever they occur that the UK strongly supports the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court.

Sudan

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the staff complement at the British Embassy in Sudan is up to the number and rank that it was prior to the withdrawal of Embassy personnel following the American missile attack on the al-Shifa medicine factory in August 1998.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: We now have a fully operational Embasssy in Khartoum, back to the complement we had in August 1998. It is active, not least, in promoting peace in the Sudan.

Sudan

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide details of the dialogue between the European Union and Sudan, the basis for this interaction, dates and details of any meetings that have taken place as part of this dialogue, and the results to date of this process.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: The EU/Sudan Dialogue was resumed on 10 November 1999. Further meetings took place on 16 January and 30 January with EU Heads of Missions.
	The objective of the dialogue is to promote a constructive debate on issues of concern to the EU, including peace, human rights and regional stability.

Sudan

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the November 1999 political and peace agreement signed between Sadiq al-Mahdi's Umma party and the government of Sudan.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: We welcome any agreement that helps progress towards a comprehensive peace settlement in the Sudan. We hope that this agreement will do that. Only a comprehensive peace settlement will allow the Sudanese to rebuild their lives. We encourage all parties to the conflict there to work towards that end.

Sudan/Eritrea/Uganda Agreements

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their assessment of the friendship and co-operation agreements recently reached between Sudan, Eritrea and Uganda; and what they are doing to support these agreements.

Baroness Ramsay of Cartvale: We have welcomed the agreements reached by Sudan with Eritrea and Uganda which have the potential to improve significantly regional stability. The key to their success will be their implementation. We shall do what we can to encourage full implementation.

Gambling Review Body

Lord Shepherd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to announce the membership of the Gambling Review Body.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Further to the reply my right honourable friend the Home Secretary gave in another place (House of Commons Official Report, col. 537W on 16 February), my honourable friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office (Mr O'Brien) appointed on 10 March the following people to be members of the Gambling Review Body:
	Mr David Bishop
	Mr Mihir Bose
	Professor Jeffrey Gray
	Mr Peter Dean CBE
	Sir John Hoddinott QPM
	Mr Anthony Mackintosh
	Ms Phillipa Marks
	Ms Sara Nathan
	Ms Anesta Weekes QC
	Mr Jonathan Wolff
	Between them, the members will bring a wealth of experience in many areas relevant to the review, such as business, law, economics, psychology, accountancy and law enforcement.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will wind up the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Under the original criminal injuries compensation scheme established in August 1964, compensation was assessed by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) on the basis of common law damages. That scheme was superseded from 1 April 1996 by a tariff-based scheme administered by two new bodies, the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel (CICAP). The board was then left with the residual task of dealing with all outstanding claims lodged before 1 April 1996. There were some 110,000 such cases.
	By the end of the current financial year, the board will have resolved over 100,000 of those cases and its work will largely be done. The board will accordingly be wound up on 31 March 2000. Any residual old scheme cases still outstanding at that time will be transferred for resolution by legally qualified members of CICAP in accordance with the transitional provisions of the 1996 scheme. Present estimates are that around 6,000 cases will be transferred. The panel will be set the target of clearing them within two years. The panel is being strengthened considerably to ensure that it can cope with this additional workload without prejudicing its capacity to deal with appeals made under the 1996 scheme.
	I am sure that Ministers in previous administrations would wish to join me in extending a sincere vote of thanks to all board members, past and present, for the care and dedication with which they have dealt with claims over the past 35 years.

Immigration Detainees

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many persons are held in detention under the Immigration Acts; of these how many are held pending deportation; whether as many as 6,000 persons have been detained during any recent 12-month period; how many current detainees are held in HM Prisons; and how many of those in prison were asylum-seekers, with undecided cases.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: A total of 990 persons were detained in immigration detention centres and prison establishments in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers on 31 January 2000. Of this total, 515 persons were held in prison establishments. This figure is not recorded in such a way as to identify those who were held pending deportation or those in prisons who had applied for asylum at some point. It may be helpful to know that a snapshot report showing the number of persons recorded as being held in detention in the United Kingdom, solely under Immigration Act powers, by place of detention, is placed in the House of Lords Library each month.
	From administrative data, it has been estimated that approximately 15,000 persons were detained for the first time under Immigration Act powers during 1999. This figure covers persons held in immigration detention centres, prisons and police cells and, in addition to persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers, includes persons detained under dual immigration and police powers. The estimate may under-record the numbers held in police cells and prisons, particularly those in the north of England. The figure is not intended to be a measure of all persons who spent time in detention during the year, as it counts only the first time a person enters detention and therefore does not include persons held during 1999 who were initially detained in an earlier year. The figure covers both those persons who have applied for asylum at some stage and those who have never applied for asylum, many of whom will have been detained for only a very short period of time.
	The latest reliable snapshot of detained asylum seekers relates to those asylum applicants detained in immigration detention centres, prison establishments and police cells solely under Immigration Act powers as at 30 December 1998 for port applicants and 4 January 1999 for in-country applicants. On those dates, 741 such persons were recorded. The location of those detainees is not recorded reliably and it is not therefore possible to state how many were held in prisons. Data recording problems mean that an updated figure is not currently available.

Plymouth City Council: Early Voting Pilot Scheme

Baroness Fookes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have agreed to the pilot scheme on early voting put forward by Plymouth City Council under the terms of the Representation of the People Bill, including the proposal for identification of all voters by the production of poll cards.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The application to run an early voting pilot scheme made by Plymouth City Council, including an identity requirement for those voting early, has been given provisional approval.

Asylum Seekers: Support

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they have in place to review regularly, with local authorities and the charities involved, the working of the cash, voucher and other support systems for asylum seekers.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: We intend that reviews of the sort referred to will be made on an on-going basis by the National Asylum Support Service, as part of the service's normal operational work. We have already established excellent lines of communication with both local authorities and voluntary sector groups, which will enable us to consult them as part of the review process.

Asylum Seekers: Support

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will put in place arrangements to review, at least every six months, the adequacy of cash and voucher support for asylum seekers; and
	Whether they will put in place arrangements to review, at least every six months the working of the voucher scheme for asylum seekers, with particular reference to (a) the cost of administering the scheme; (b) its effectiveness in meeting the needs of asylum seekers; and (c) the social experience of those compelled to use vouchers; and
	Whether they will review the voucher system for asylum seekers to ensure that the vouchers can be used where it is most economic to shop and that change in cash will be available when purchases are made.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The entire asylum support scheme, including the voucher system, will be kept under constant review within the National Asylum Support Service, as part of the service's normal operational work. Where this review process discloses any need for amendments in the way the scheme is operated, we shall take the necessary steps to make these.

Asylum Seekers: Support

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What arrangements they have in place to ensure that all dispersed asylum seekers (a) are only sent to destinations where their religious, dietary and cultural needs can be met; (b) are provided with the funds for travel to places where specialist legal advice is available; and (c) are, together with other immigrants in a similar position, financially enabled to travel to Croydon to pursue work permits when the issue of these is delayed.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Arrangements are being set into place at the present time, both within the new National Asylum Support Scheme, and by liaison with the voluntary sector, to ensure that asylum seekers are dispersed to areas where their needs can be met. Where an asylum seeker has a specific need he or she will be able to state this when seeking support and this will be taken into account when the question of dispersed destination is under consideration.
	With regard to specialist legal advice, we are satisfied that, as dispersal occurs, so legal practitioners in the dispersed areas will respond to the changed needs for specialist advice, drawing knowledge from the centre as is presently done in other fields of law.
	Unless a decision on his/her asylum application has not been reached within six months, an asylum seeker is not allowed to work and, therefore, the question of obtaining a work permit does not arise. Currently, asylum seekers may obtain work if their application has not been decided within six months. This concession does not involve the issue of work permits, which are the responsibility of the Department for Education and Employment.

Asylum Applications: Individual Consideration

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are their latest plans to ensure that any fast track treatment of asylum seekers does not conflict with the obligation to consider all applications fully and fairly on their individual merits; and how they will avoid making presumptions that applications are unsubstantiated.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The law requires that the circumstances of each asylum claim, including those dealt with under any fast track procedures, are carefully considered on an individual basis. All asylum applications made in the United Kingdom are carefully considered to establish whether the person has a well founded fear of persecution under the terms of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

Asylum Seekers: Oakington Detention Centre

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the role of the new detention centre at Oakington with regard to any plans they have for fast track treatment of asylum seekers.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The role of Oakington is to strengthen our ability to deal quickly with asylum applications, many of which prove to be unfounded. Applicants will be required to remain at Oakington for a period of about seven days while their claims are considered. There will be provision for legal advice to be available on site.

Asylum Seekers: Dependants

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the debate on asylum seekers on 1 March, how many dependants accompanied the applicants for asylum in each of the years recorded in table 4.1 on page 66 of Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1998 (cm 4431); and
	Further to the debate on asylum seekers on 1 March, how many dependants accompanied the applicants for asylum in each of the months recorded in Asylum Statistics: December 1999 United Kingdom, published by the Research Development Section.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Information regarding principal applicants and dependants, in each of the years 1990 to 1998, is given in Table 7.1 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom, 1998, a copy of which is available in the Library.
	Information on principal applicants and dependants is published on an annual basis only. It is planned that the figures for the calendar year 1999 will be included within the next Asylum Bulletin, which is due to be published in June of this year.

Asylum Seekers: Removals and Voluntary Departures

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the debate on asylum seekers on 1 March, how many asylum seekers are known to have been removed or to have departed voluntarily in each of the months recorded in Asylum Statistics: December 1999 United Kingdom, published by the Research Development Section.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Provisional information relating to removals and voluntary departures for December 1998 to December 1999, under port and enforcement procedures of persons who have applied for asylum at some stage, is given in the table. Failed asylum seekers are only removed once all their rights of appeal in the United Kingdom have been exhausted. It should be noted that the figures may include some persons who withdrew their asylum application or appeal before a decision or determination had been reached.
	
		Removals and voluntary departures of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, by month December 1998 to December 1999
		
			 Month Removals and Voluntary Departures  (1), (1), p 
			 December 1998 720 
			 January 1999 650 
			 February 1999 585 
			 March 1999 615 
			 April 1999 600 
			 May 1999 625 
			 June 1999 610 
			 July 1999 660 
			 August 1999 630 
			 September 1999 685 
			 October 1999 710 
			 November 1999 635 
			 December 1999 640 
		
	
	(1) For port asylum applicants, voluntary departures are included up to and including the point of notification of the decision on the asylum application and those persons who have had their asylum application refused and leave the country before they have exhausted their rights of appeal.
	(1) For in-country applicants, the figures include voluntary departures following enforcement action but exclude all other voluntary departures.
	p Figures are provisional, revised and rounded to the nearest five.

Immigration Offenders: Tracing and Removal

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the debate on asylum seekers on 1 March, whether they consider that an agency other than the police is needed to carry out, or to assist the Immigration and Natonality Department to carry out, the removal of asylum seekers whose applications have been refused.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: No. Immigration officers have been provided with new powers of arrest, search and seizure under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. We are currently piloting a scheme under which specially trained immigration officers are tracing and effecting the arrest of immigration offenders without the assistance of the police. This will deliver improved effectiveness and, while the Immigration Service will always need the co-operation of the police, will reduce our dependency on them. We intend to extend the scheme on completion of the pilot. Involving a third agency would nullify any such gains.

Asylum Seekers: Voucher Scheme

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the debate on asylum seekers on 1 March, whether they will ensure that, under the voucher scheme, asylum seekers tendering vouchers for goods of a lesser value are given change in cash or vouchers to the full value of the difference.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: No. We are giving each asylum seeker a voucher exchangeable for £10 cash and the goods vouchers given will be in small denominations. We would expect this to allow voucher payments to be rounded up to the amount required, rather than vouchers being proffered in excess of the value of the goods purchased.
	We shall, in any event, keep the progress of the voucher scheme under close scrutiny, and will remain ready to make any adjustments that experience show to be necessary.

Asylum Seekers: Statement of Legal Rights

Lord Elton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the debate on asylum seekers on 1 March, whether they will arrange (a) for all asylum seekers to receive a clear written statement of their legal rights, accompanied by a verbal explanation if they are illiterate, as soon as practicable after their application has been made; and (b) ensure that no inference unfavourable to such asylum seekers shall be drawn by any court for anything said or omitted to be said by them at any interview given prior to their receipt of it.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: We are currently studying the report by the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in which this recommendation features, and will make known our response in due course.

New Millennium Experience Company: Advertising and Design Contract Awards

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many contracts were awarded by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) to (a) advertisers and (b) designers; and what is the total cost to the NMEC of those contracts to date.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: M & C Saatchi were appointed by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) in August 1997 to develop an integrated communications campaign, including creative development, media planning and sales promotion in support of the Millennium Experience and its associated national programme. Their appointment followed a competitive process, through OJEC. As stated in the OJEC advertisement, the estimated total value of the contract is up to £16 million. NMEC has contracted no other advertisers.
	Design contracts for exhibit zones, entered into by NMEC, were also subject to OJEC procedures in August 1997. The total value of these contracts is about £17.1 million (excluding VAT), subject to normal resolution procedures.

New Millennium Experience Company: Advertising and Design Contract Awards

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many contracts were awarded by the New Millennium Experience Company to (a) advertisers and (b) designers were granted after a process of competitive tendering; and how many of those contracts were still in place on 31 January 2000.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: All contracts awarded by the New Millennium Experience Company to advertisers and designers were granted after a process of competitive tendering. The advertising contract with M & C Saatchi is still in place. The designers have completed their services under the agreements. The contracts are still in place in the sense that NMEC either owns the products of their services or is licensed to use them.

Child Support Reduced Benefit Directions

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many child support cases of reduced benefit direction went to appeal in 1999; and how many appeals were won; and
	Whether they believe that there would be a reduction in levels of child poverty if all child support reduced benefit directions were not implemented until confirmed by an appeal tribunal.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The number of cases with reduced benefit directions that went to appeal in the period April 1999 to February this year was 373. Of these, 99 were successful. The underlying purpose of a reduced benefit direction is to encourage parents with care to apply for child support, unless they have good cause for failing to do so. Delaying the imposition of this penalty until the case had been heard by an appeal tribunal would reduce this incentive effect. It is likely that the result would be substantially more parents with care seeking to avoid child support action, with a consequent increase in levels of child poverty.
	More than 80 per cent of parents with care who applied for income support in the last year were happy to co-operate with the Child Support Agency. This means that there are now far fewer reduced benefit directions imposed and that the Child Support Agency is able to pursue regular maintenance for more children.
	Over 1 million more children stand to gain from our proposed child support reforms, including 600,000 in the poorest families on income support who will see the benefit of maintenance for the first time through the introduction of a child maintenance premium.

Child Support Reduced Benefit Directions

Earl Russell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they undertake ethnic monitoring of families subject to child support reduced benefit directions; and, if so, what is the ethnic composition of those families.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Monitoring of child support reduced benefit directions by ethnic origin is not carried out. The information requested is therefore not available. However, should any parents with care have difficulty in understanding the good cause procedures because English is not their first language, interpreters can be made available.

Sheep and BSE

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether sheep under four years of age could be contaminated with BSE by consuming meat and bone meal; and, if not (a) what purpose is served by the introduction of a compulsory identification scheme and its attendant costs; and (b) whether they will raise the age at which specified sheep offal has to be removed from 12 months to 24 months.

Baroness Hayman: Sheep under four years of age will not have consumed meat and bonemeal, as this has been banned from ruminant feed since July 1988, and all animal feed since March 1996. Sheep identification is a requirement of EU law, in particular that sheep are eartagged or tattooed before leaving the holding of birth with a mark which identifies the animal's holding of birth. The Government are currently considering proposals to implement this requirement. The costs of any such move must be balanced against the value of lost exports of live sheep and sheepmeat if animals are not correctly identified in accordance with EU law.
	The Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC) regularly reviews SRM controls and has not recommended any relaxation in respect of sheep.

Pakistani Basmati Rice

Lord Ahmed: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are planning to re-grade Pakistani Basmati rice; and whether they would define it as pure, traditional or hybrid.

Baroness Hayman: There is at present no legal definition of Indian or Pakistani Basmati rice in the UK, although there is an industry code of practice, which lays down a general specification. However, in the light of technical developments which provide new ways of distinguishing one variety of long grain rice from another, the code may need to be updated. We will continue to work with the industry to ensure that all parties responsible for the trade in Basmati rice are involved and that consumers are not misled.

Arable Area Payments: Field Margins

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, under the new European guidance on the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) of the Common Agricultural Policy, in cases where field boundaries do not exceed two metres the Ordnance Survey areas will continue to be allowed for the Arable Area Payments Scheme; and whether in cases where field boundaries do exceed two metres, it is the excess over two metres or the whole width of the boundary which has to be excluded from the claimed area; and, if the latter, why fields with wider boundaries are not to be allowed the new standard of two metres under customary agricultural practice.

Baroness Hayman: According to the IACS Regulations, farmers can claim arable area payments on fields which are fully utilised according to customary agricultural practice. Guidance from the European Commission, endorsed by the European Court of Auditors, indicates that payments can be claimed on the full Ordnance Survey of area of a field as long as the field margins do not exceed two metres in width. The regulations also provide that, where a field is not fully utilised, only the cropped area can be claimed. This means that, where part or all of a field margin exceeds two metres, the full width of that part of the margin has to be deducted from the area claimed.
	In view of the concerns that have been expressed about the implications for the environment of reducing the width of field margins, my officials are in discussion with the European Commission on what can be considered as traditional agricultural practice.

Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group: Report

Lord Evans of Watford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the report of the independent Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group will be published.

Baroness Hayman: We are pleased to announce that the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Review Group's report was published on 9 March 2000. The group has carried out a very thorough and wide ranging examination of salmon and freshwater fisheries policy and legislation in England and Wales. We now intend to seek the views of interested parties; the consultation period will run until 31 July 2000. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library of the House.

Epichlorohydrin: Stabiliser Use in Sheep Dips

The Countess of Mar: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answers by Baroness Hayman on 22 February (WA 28) and 28 February (WA 52), and the Written Answer by Earl Howe on 1 March 1993 (WA 31-32), in which other diazinon-based sheep dips epichlorohydrin was used as a stabiliser; and when it was removed from these formulations.

Baroness Hayman: Epichlorohydrin was used by the manufacturer of diazinon to stabilise this chemical, which was then incorporated as the active ingredient in various sheep dips by a number of different sheep dip manufacturers. Epichlorohydrin was withdrawn from the formulation of diazinon by the manufacturer in 1981. It was used by some individual sheep dip manufacturers subsequent to 1981 but records show that epichlorohydrin has not been used in any formulation of currently-authorised diazinon sheep dips since 1992. Records of products removed from the market subsequent to 1981 are incomplete and it is not possible to establish whether or when epichlorohydrin was withdrawn from those products.

Road Building Schemes: Cost-benefit Analysis

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	(a) what value is put on work time and leisure time respectively in the cost-benefit analysis of new road-building schemes; and
	(b) whether the same values are used in assessing whether permission should be given to those who wish to dig up roads; and, if not, why not.

Lord Whitty: In the cost-benefit analysis of new road building schemes, leisure time is valued at £3.98 an hour in 1999 prices and values. Work time values are based on the cost of work time to employers. For car drivers, an average value of £16.28 an hour in 1999 prices and values is used. Decisions on road maintenance take account of the expected delays to traffic, valuing them at the same rates as are used for the analysis of new road building.
	Public utilities and other undertakers have statutory rights to carry out street works to access their apparatus. Decisions about when and where to carry out street works are usually determined by commercial factors or customer service obligations. Undertakers do not normally need permission, except in certain protected streets. There is no requirement for them to assess the cost of delays to traffic caused by their work. However they must co-operate with street authorities (normally the highway or roads authorities) and other undertakers; and street authorities may give directions as to the timing of street works if they are likely to cause serious disruption to traffic which could be avoided or reduced if the works are carried out only at certain times (such as nights or weekends).

River Don

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made in cleaning up the River Don in South Yorkshire from the effects of polluted minewater; whether any fresh breakouts of minewater are causing the Environment Agency concern; and in particular what steps are being taken by the agency to tackle the recurring pollution in Cranberry Holes Brook and its threat to the fish in the River Don.

Lord Whitty: Since the Bullhouse Minewater Treatment Plant came into operation in September 1998 there have been significant improvements in the downstream chemical and biological quality of the River Don, and in the number of fish in the river. Around the time the plant was commissioned, a number of ochre-coloured seepages appeared in the Cranberry Holes Dyke, most likely caused by groundwater movements resulting from the presence of the minewater treatment lagoon. The agency is monitoring these seepages and, if necessary, the dyke will be assessed for treatment. The agency does not currently consider the seepage a significant threat to fish in the River Don.

Hedgerows: Revised Draft Regulations

Lord Hardy of Wath: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have reached any conclusions regarding the publication of revised draft regulations relating to hedgerows or whether the evaluation of the review group's recommendations which was under way in October 1999 is still continuing.

Lord Whitty: We are currently evaluating the results of research by ADAS, published in November last year, into the Hedgerows Review Group's proposals. In the light of that, we expect to publish revised draft regulations for statutory consultation later this year.

Teenage Mothers: Supported Accommodation

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have invited organisations to apply for funding to provide care and support homes for teenage mothers; what guidelines have been issued to these organisations; and how many applications have been received and from whom.

Lord Whitty: The Housing Corporation invited registered social landlords (RSLs) in England to bid for funding to develop around 15 pilot schemes whose aim would be to test alternative approaches for providing supported accommodation for 16-18 year-old lone parents. The following RSLs submitted bids:
	Circle 33
	Croydon Churches
	Metropolitan Housing Trust
	Patchwork Community
	Hastings Community
	Sovereign
	Christian Alliance
	Girls Friendly
	Nottingham Community
	Tuntum
	Cygnet Housing
	Luton Churches
	Beth Johnson
	Accord
	Bromford
	Caldmore Area
	West Pennine
	St. Vincent's
	Manchester Methodists
	The Housing Corporation is now working with the Department of Health's Teenage Pregnancy Unit to select from the bids a number of schemes as pilots.

GM Maize: Evaluation Programme

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in considering allowing the commercial planting of genetically modified maize, they intend to observe the criterion laid down last year (H.L. Deb., 27 May 1999, col. 1129) of limiting such planting of 20 fields for each crop per year.

Lord Whitty: Genetically modified maize has received Europe wide consent for general cultivation, but the Government reached an agreement with the biotechnology industry, through the industry body SCIMAC, in November 1999, that no commercial planting of GM crops will take place outside the Farm Scale Evaluations programme until at least 2003.
	The agreement with industry does not set specific limits for the number of GM fields that can be grown in any year, but SCIMAC have agreed to limit planting to the number of fields recommended by the independent Scientific Steering Committee overseeing the evaluations. This is expected to be about 20-25 fields of each crop each year and giving a total of around 60 to 75 fields of each crop over a three-year period.

GM Maize: Evaluation Programme

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they intend to ascertain that planting of genetically modified crops is limited to 20 fields once the commercial release of seed has taken place.

Lord Whitty: The Government reached an agreement with the biotechnology industry, through the industry body SCIMAC, in November 1999, that no commercial planting of GM crops will take place outside the Farm Scale Evaluations programme until at least 2003.
	The agreement with industry does not set specific limits for the number of GM fields that can be grown in any year, but SCIMAC have agreed to limit planting to the number of fields recommended by the independent Scientific Steering Committee overseeing the evaluations. This is expected to be about 20-25 fields of each crop each year and giving a total of around 60 to 75 fields of each crop over a three year period.

GM and Non-GM Crops: Distinction

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What training inspectors can receive to allow them to distinguish genetically modified from non-genetically modified crops; and whether suspected genetically modified crops exceeding the 20-field limit would be destroyed.

Lord Whitty: The current range of herbicide tolerant GM crops are only distinguishable from non-GM crops by their reaction to a particular herbicide or by analysis of their genetic content. At present this involves taking samples back to the laboratory. However, analytical methods for use in the field are being developed. Inspectors receive appropriate training.
	GM crops may only be grown if an appropriate consent has been given in accordance with European Directive 90/220. Where applicable, enforcement action could be taken against a farmer growing a crop without a valid consent.

Magnox Fuel

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have contingency plans for dealing with the spent fuel from Magnox nuclear reactors in the event that the British Nuclear Fuels Limited Sellafield plant is unable to take such spent fuel for reprocessing.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: As the owner of the UK's Magnox nuclear power stations, BNFL is responsible for managing the spent fuel from UK Magnox reactors. I understand that BNFL intends to continue reprocessing Magnox fuel, because that is the best technical method for dealing with it.

Life Peerages: Interim Appointments Committee

Lord Craig of Radley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the interim Appointments Commission will be asked to recommend four or five individuals twice a year (as foreshadowed in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Executive Search advertisement in The Sunday Times of 6 February) for life peerages; whether these will be created as independent Peers to sit in the Upper House for life; and whether those peerages recommended by the interim Appointments Commission will be in place of the life peerages awarded by Her Majesty in the Birthday and New Year Honours Lists on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, commencing with the Birthday Honours list this year.

Baroness Jay of Paddington: The Government will maintain the Cross-Bench representation at approximately the present proportion of life Peers. We envisage that this means it will be necessary to create approximately the same number of peers as has been the case at the same time as the Birthday and New Year Honours Lists in the recent past.
	The non-political persons recommended for peerages by the Appointments Commission will be expected to sit as independent life Peers in the House of Lords.
	The peerages recommended by the interim Appointments Commission will replace the life peerages awarded by Her Majesty in parallel with the Birthday and New Year Honours Lists on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The commission itself will have to consider whether it can properly produce recommendations for peerages to coincide with the publication of the Birthday Honours List in June.

Committee on Standards in Public Life: House of Lords Investigation

Baroness Pitkeathley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what subject the Committee on Standards in Public Life will focus its next study.

Baroness Jay of Paddington: The Committee is today announcing that, after consultation with the Government, it proposes to undertake a review of the present arrangements governing the conduct of members of the House of Lords and consider the need for any change. It will report later this year.